By Regina Ford
President Obama signed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization of 2016 on April 19th. The Act, originating more than fifty years ago, reaffirms our nation’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of our older adults. It is now renewed for the next three years. Passage comes almost ten years since the last Act was renewed.
The legislation keeps core programs intact plus adds an increase of 6% in spending over the previous law. The Act allows older people to remain at home and in the community by providing necessary services to maintain their independence and safety. Some of the services covered are:
Feeding America’s elderly poor—maintains congregate and home-delivered meals, including local fresh fruits and vegetables.
Combating Elder Abuse—improves training on elder abuse prevention and screening for professionals in the aging field and allows Ombudsmen to assist residents of long-term care facilities.
Creating new support for modernizing multipurpose senior centers.
Helping family caregivers—older adults caring for adult children with disabilities will be eligible for the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
Providing older Americans with better information about resources available to them by creating improved coordination between Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and Area Agencies on Aging.
Requiring the federal government to provide guidance and best practices to the states to better serve Holocaust survivors.
The legislative champions for the Bill includes: Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn), Patty Murray (D-Wash), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA), John Kline (R-Minn) and our own Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). This Act is more important than ever now because of the changing demographics of our country. Within a few years, there will be over 77 million Americans over the age of 60. More than 34 million younger Americans will be providing care and support for these seniors. It will eventually affect all of us because we are aging or assisting an older friend or loved one.
This story is sponsored by United Homecare Services. If you are interested in finding out more or scheduling a no-obligation consultation, call 503-433-8079.
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